Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
FOI #22-344 (09-28-22, 12:00 pm) - Subject - Contracts
Name - Brianna Gonsalves
Affiliation - Quinnipiac University Student
Dear University Communications
Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act §1-200 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to obtain copies of public records of the contracts of the following employees: Geno Auriemma, Randy Edsall, and Ketan R. Bulsara.
I would like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the understanding of the agreements set out by these high-paid individuals. The information is not being sought out for commercial reasons.
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act requires a response within four business days. If the request will take longer, please contact me as to when I could expect these copies. Please be advised I am prepared to pursue whatever legal remedies necessary to obtain these documents. See Connecticut Freedom of Information Act §1-200 et seq.
FOI #22-343 (09-27-22, 11:24 am) - Subject - Tracking technology
Name - Student Student
Affiliation -
I am looking for multiple sets of documents regarding several software services used by UConn.
First, I would like the records collected for the prior FOI requests from Dereka Smith under the subject "Safety Technology" and Vincent Gabrielle under the subject "Social Sentinel and Navigate 360 Detect".
I would also like any terms added to the “Local+ List” from 1/1/15 to the present day, as well as any communication about the “Local+ List”.
Additionally, I would like any contracts, contract extensions, MOUs, or signed agreements regarding, involving, or pertaining to Social Sentinel, Navigate360, or Securly.
Lastly, I would like any communications from these offices:
- University of Connecticut Police Department
- Office of the President
- Dean of Students
- Board of Trustees
From 1/1/19 to the present day containing any of the following terms: “activism”, “activist”, “demonstration”, “protest”, “rally”, “counter-protest”, and “counterprotest”.
FOI #22-342 (09-23-22, 11:40 am) - Subject - U.S. News rankings
Name - Allan Blutstein
Affiliation - N/A
Copies of all detailed reports provided by U.S. News to the university upon the university's request that break down the school's rankings. These detailed reports for this year's and last year's U.S. News rankings would have been requested by either the director of admissions, the director of financial aid, the head of public relations, the head of institutional research, the president's office, or the provost's office.
This is a request to the University of Connecticut under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (the "FOIA"), C.G.S. Section 1-200, et. seq.
Connecticut Public and I hereby request that UCONN make available for inspection and provide copies of the following documents and public records:
-The personnel file of Radena Maric
-A copy of any complaints received by university administration mentioning Radena Maric
FOI #22-340 (09-22-22, 10:42 am) - Subject - list of grants at CAHN
Name - Alex Park
Affiliation -
Any list(s), database(s), spreadsheet(s), table(s), or any other such records documenting all sources of external financing received by the University of Connecticut which were designated to benefit the following departments within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources since January 1, 2012:
As part of this request, I also request any accompanying information, including but not limited to amounts of the allocations, departments, associated faculty, associated dates, serial number, and purpose.
Additionally, I request any keys for acronyms or codes in the above-listed records.
I request these records in a spreadsheet format, such as .csv or .xls, if possible.
FOI #22-339 (09-22-22, 9:20 am) - Subject - Athletics
Name - Paul Doyle
Affiliation - Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Under the Freedom of Information Act, we are requesting all records of expenses associated with the men’s basketball program hosting five recruits on campus September 9, 10, 11. This request includes all purchases and expenses pertaining to travel arrangements made in advance of the weekend and all purchases made in connection with the five recruits. We are requesting a line-by-line breakout of expenses incurred. We are also requesting any itinerary associated with the visits.
FOI #22-338 (09-21-22, 8:41 am) - Subject - Social Sentinel and Navigate 360 Detect
Name - Vincent Gabrielle
Affiliation - Hearst Media Connecticut (CT Insider)
I am requesting the contract for Social Sentinel, a social media and digital surveillance company. The Dallas Morning News reported that UConn had a contract with Social Sentinel from 2018-2021.
I am also requesting any extension of the contract or new contract with the company. Such contracts may be for the service "Navigate360 Detect" with the company Navigate360 due to an acquisition and name change this year.
Further, I am requesting any brochures, white papers or marketing material provided to UConn by Social Sentinel or Navigate360 if applicable.
FOI #22-337 (09-19-22, 4:12 pm) - Subject - Basketball game contract
Name - Rachel Lenzi
Affiliation - The Buffalo News
I am requesting a copy of the University of Connecticut athletic department's contract with the University at Buffalo for a basketball game scheduled for Nov. 15, 2022, at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. I am requesting this document as an electronic copy (as a PDF attachment to an email).
If there are any problems or if you need clarification on this request, please call me (716-954-1412) or email me.
FOI #22-336 (09-18-22, 8:18 pm) - Subject - Athletics
Name - Andy Wittry
Affiliation - On3
I'd like to make a public records request for a copy of any team-issued rulebooks or handbooks provided to any UConn athletes for the 2022-23 academic year. Since this request is of public interest, I'd like to request that any associated fees are waived. Please let me know in advance if there are any costs associated with fulfilling this request.
FOI #22-335 (09-16-22, 4:37 pm) - Subject - Communications with US Forestry Service
Name - Dan Starvish
Affiliation - CT Police and Fire Union/IAFF Local S-15
I am writing to request any and all documents, whether written or electronic, including memos, letters, emails, and/or any other form of communication, that Deputy Fire Chief Renshaw performed in reference to the US Forestry Service or Wildland Fire Fighting.